Sam applauds rising star for ‘a beautiful job’

Sam Smith has praised Billie Eilish’s “classic” and “beautiful” James Bond theme song.

The 18-year-old singer has released the title track for No Time To Die, which she wrote with her brother Finneas.

Smith, who won an Oscar for Writing’s On The Wall, the title song for 007 film Spectre, told Capital Breakfast: “It’s so beautiful.

“I literally woke up like an hour and a bit ago and I was sitting on the toilet listening to it. It’s so beautiful.”

Eilish will perform the song live for the first time at the Brit Awards next week, accompanied by her brother, Hans Zimmer and Johnny Marr. Discussing how much pressure there is on the young singer at the moment, Smith said: “It depends on how much pressure you put on yourself, I think.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself and I didn’t realise how people really have in their head what a Bond song is, so you’re never gonna please everyone, but she’s done such a beautiful job and she’s kept it classic, which I’m so happy about.

“Yeah, I’m really impressed. I think it’s amazing.”

After Eilish released the song, Lashana Lynch, who stars in the film as a new agent, tweeted: “Billie you better !!!!! ”

The film’s director, Cary Fukunaga, said: “Billie Eilish has been my number one choice to do this theme song since I came on board this project; 18 months later, I can hardly contain my excitement for this moment.

“She and Finneas have delivered a spectacular and haunting song that gives me chills every time I listen to it.”

Joining Eilish in the line-up at the Brit Awards are Celeste, Dave, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Mabel and Stormzy.

The show will be hosted by Jack Whitehall.

Sam Smith wrote Writing’s On the Wall.